The Church Needs an Upgrade

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Lafftur

Lafftur

Senior Member
#1
Apr 18, 2017
6,892
3,633
113
#1
I’ve been pondering......”church “ has to change....like a new computer gets “upgrades” all the time....:unsure:

God wants to “upgrade” His church...

Imagine 1 or 2 acres of land and there are little huts/cabins/booths specifically for....Prayer, Healing, Sermon, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Praise, Worship, Salvation, Food, Clothing, water baptism, Word of Prophecy, etc.

Church has to break out of the walls and all the structure and focus more on the needs of the people and how God wants to supply all the needs in one Sunday meeting....it’s NOT about just listen to the pastor and all eyes on the pastor.......it’s about God and all His people....

Our dear loving Father wants to love His children and meet our needs and pour His love in us and on us....healing us and drawing us close to Him!

Instead of coming to church and only getting a sermon, you can actually get all of the above!

What would an “Upgrade” of Church be to you?......:unsure::love:(y)
 
Roughsoul1991

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
#2
Sep 17, 2016
8,853
4,506
113
#2
Lafftur said:
I’ve been pondering......”church “ has to change....like a new computer gets “upgrades” all the time....:unsure:

God wants to “upgrade” His church...

Imagine 1 or 2 acres of land and there are little huts/cabins/booths specifically for....Prayer, Healing, Sermon, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Praise, Worship, Salvation, Food, Clothing, water baptism, Word of Prophecy, etc.

Church has to break out of the walls and all the structure and focus more on the needs of the people and how God wants to supply all the needs in one Sunday meeting....it’s NOT about just listen to the pastor and all eyes on the pastor.......it’s about God and all His people....

Our dear loving Father wants to love His children and meet our needs and pour His love in us and on us....healing us and drawing us close to Him!

Instead of coming to church and only getting a sermon, you can actually get all of the above!

What would an “Upgrade” of Church be to you?......:unsure::love:(y)
Click to expand...
Renovation? Good thing we have a Master Carpenter on call.
 
Rosemaryx

Rosemaryx

Senior Member
#3
May 3, 2017
3,757
4,120
113
63
#3
There are many ministries all over the world that not many know about , people behind the scenes , and doing the things above...
COVID is not helping , I just hope and pray that people do not become desensitised to gathering once again , that is a problem...

I thank God for those who are keeping their churches open , at least some of us can gather...
...xox...
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#4
Aug 13, 2014
27,352
9,367
113
#4
Lafftur said:
I’ve been pondering......”church “ has to change....like a new computer gets “upgrades” all the time....:unsure:

God wants to “upgrade” His church...

Imagine 1 or 2 acres of land and there are little huts/cabins/booths specifically for....Prayer, Healing, Sermon, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Praise, Worship, Salvation, Food, Clothing, water baptism, Word of Prophecy, etc.

Church has to break out of the walls and all the structure and focus more on the needs of the people and how God wants to supply all the needs in one Sunday meeting....it’s NOT about just listen to the pastor and all eyes on the pastor.......it’s about God and all His people....

Our dear loving Father wants to love His children and meet our needs and pour His love in us and on us....healing us and drawing us close to Him!

Instead of coming to church and only getting a sermon, you can actually get all of the above!

What would an “Upgrade” of Church be to you?......:unsure::love:(y)
Click to expand...
Come visit our church. You get a lot more than a sermon here. :cool:
 
shittim

shittim

Senior Member
#5
Dec 16, 2016
13,798
7,781
113
#5
We have not be prevented from being in vital, personal, relationship with the Father in Jesus name.
I have been enjoying and growing from the ministry of JGLM.org
Recently a friend asked me to attend a local church, I explained I worship 3 hours on Sunday, if I attend that church I miss out on 2 hours of worship.

I like your idea Lafftur- I enjoy staying in prayer until I am guided to go somewhere in His name. I ask for divine encounters when I leave home and He always gives them.
Bless you
 
I

Iamabeliever

Banned
#6
Oct 10, 2020
107
36
28
#6
Lafftur said:
I’ve been pondering......”church “ has to change....like a new computer gets “upgrades” all the time....:unsure:

God wants to “upgrade” His church...

Imagine 1 or 2 acres of land and there are little huts/cabins/booths specifically for....Prayer, Healing, Sermon, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Praise, Worship, Salvation, Food, Clothing, water baptism, Word of Prophecy, etc.

Church has to break out of the walls and all the structure and focus more on the needs of the people and how God wants to supply all the needs in one Sunday meeting....it’s NOT about just listen to the pastor and all eyes on the pastor.......it’s about God and all His people....

Our dear loving Father wants to love His children and meet our needs and pour His love in us and on us....healing us and drawing us close to Him!

Instead of coming to church and only getting a sermon, you can actually get all of the above!

What would an “Upgrade” of Church be to you?......:unsure::love:(y)
Click to expand...
 
shittim

shittim

Senior Member
#7
Dec 16, 2016
13,798
7,781
113
#7
Currently I enjoy sitting at the back of the church and meeting up with one or two and inviting holy spirit to come a bring His wisdom, teaching, restoration etc. and work in each person to the glory of the Father in Jesus name. Then sit back and watch as His warm presence of love settles down over all and works, and watch their response.
Try it, you will be blessed.
 
S

Scribe

Guest
#8
#8
God's method is preaching. He has chosen preaching to save those that believe. He has made it clear in the word that preaching is to be our main method for transformation. The gifts of the Spirit were never intended to replace that.

There is just something about the Word of God being preached by a called and anointed preacher that illuminates and transforms lives like nothing else can do.

I don't believe that Word of Knowledge, Wisdom, Prophecy works on demand such that one could set up a booth and everyone take turns getting a word of knowledge by the person at the booth. That would be a flake saying things from their own mind and calling it the word of knowledge. Like a Tarot Card reader or a psychic reader saying general stuff like "This is your year of breakthrough" And people going away saying I got a Word from the Lord This is my year of breakthrough. That is not the gift of the Spirit that is just people doing their own "positive" reinforcing. No we don't need that in any of our churches. If you see it, Run.
 
D

DWR

Guest
#9
#9
Lafftur said:
I’ve been pondering......”church “ has to change....like a new computer gets “upgrades” all the time....:unsure:

God wants to “upgrade” His church...

Imagine 1 or 2 acres of land and there are little huts/cabins/booths specifically for....Prayer, Healing, Sermon, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Praise, Worship, Salvation, Food, Clothing, water baptism, Word of Prophecy, etc.

Church has to break out of the walls and all the structure and focus more on the needs of the people and how God wants to supply all the needs in one Sunday meeting....it’s NOT about just listen to the pastor and all eyes on the pastor.......it’s about God and all His people....

Our dear loving Father wants to love His children and meet our needs and pour His love in us and on us....healing us and drawing us close to Him!

Instead of coming to church and only getting a sermon, you can actually get all of the above!

What would an “Upgrade” of Church be to you?......:unsure::love:(y)
Click to expand...
As I read your post, a flea market came to my mind. A place of entertainment and choosing what one likes.
Sound like many churches today. Pick and choose what entertains you, what you believe you need.

What churches need to do is stop with the entertaining and do what the Scriptures says.
Check out the Scriptures----
I Cor. 1:17
II Tim. 2:4
I Cor 1:21

Churches need to preach the word and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work on those who hear.
Everything else is just a distraction.
 
shittim

shittim

Senior Member
#10
Dec 16, 2016
13,798
7,781
113
#10
Since the first chapter and ending as in Revelation 22, we are told to experience God, not merely listen to someone talk about Him, that is where we have missed the mark. Our faith is not a spectator activity.
I take Lafftur's OP to be addressing this as we seek His direction in how He ministers to us.
https://www.allaboutbible.com/names-for-god-in-the-bible/

best wishes
 
GandalfTheWhite

GandalfTheWhite

Senior Member
#11
Jan 25, 2015
9,221
3,200
113
#11
DWR said:
As I read your post, a flea market came to my mind. A place of entertainment and choosing what one likes.
Sound like many churches today. Pick and choose what entertains you, what you believe you need.

What churches need to do is stop with the entertaining and do what the Scriptures says.
Check out the Scriptures----
I Cor. 1:17
II Tim. 2:4
I Cor 1:21

Churches need to preach the word and allow the Holy Spirit to do His work on those who hear.
Everything else is just a distraction.
Click to expand...
If we look at the tabernacle, the outer court was a busy place. Everybody had access to it and people could move in and out from there. Once you entered the tent it became quiet and you were in the presence of YHVH.

The church was never intended to be a flea market but we can use the outer courts as a gathering place for the saints in a less structured environment.
 
shittim

shittim

Senior Member
#12
Dec 16, 2016
13,798
7,781
113
#12
Today the Savior indwells the believer, in those days the relationship was far different, we approached God in His dwelling place.
Jesus invites all to come to Him. I take the OP to be a type of His inspiration to and from Lafftur.

Good to see you Gandalf.
 
S

Scribe

Guest
#13
#13
Church should be your family that you live life with. There is a need for the weekly meeting where the Word is preached and this should be the main centering focal point of the gathering together to hear the prophetic word of God preached. Then there are many other meetings and outreaches to be involved in throughout the week and ministering to one another in love should be our daily life. Most of our closest friends should be from our local church. That will include many opportunities for ministry besides a Sunday Sermon. However that Sunday Sermons should be a time to hear from God is a unique way.

That we need preachers who make that sermon their priority and deliver a message that has been prayed over for many hours and preachers that give themselves wholly to the prayer and the word of God is God's method as explained in the New Testament. We need to apply that method. The problem comes when preachers do not give themselves to prayer and the study of the Word and their preaching ministry is weak. No wonder someone would look elsewhere for a Word from the Lord.
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

Well-known member
#14
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#14
I dont know what church you go to lafftur, but that stuff already happens

you know how people just used to have one desktop computer that was really noisy and slow.
Now people have individual wireless devices that go everywhere, and many have headphones and ear pieces. I suppose your church is still stuck in desktop dependency mode.

You could do an inventory of how many bibles everyone has and make sure that everyone has their own copy. Set up a church library, so people can borrow and swap.
 
shittim

shittim

Senior Member
#15
Dec 16, 2016
13,798
7,781
113
#15
Lafftur- Sort of a "retreat" where we could go, minster and be ministered to?
I have a friend about an hour from here who is following guidance to do just that.
 
Lynx

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
#16
Aug 13, 2014
27,352
9,367
113
#16
Lanolin said:
I dont know what church you go to lafftur, but that stuff already happens

you know how people just used to have one desktop computer that was really noisy and slow.
Now people have individual wireless devices that go everywhere, and many have headphones and ear pieces. I suppose your church is still stuck in desktop dependency mode.

You could do an inventory of how many bibles everyone has and make sure that everyone has their own copy. Set up a church library, so people can borrow and swap.
Click to expand...
You got your analogy inverted. The OLD way is the way a church should work, as a community of believers. Church-as-corporate-business is the NEW way.

Well... not really new, but the way things have been trending for some time.
 
S

SigP226

Guest
#17
#17
Read the book of Acts... mimic their community - done
 
shittim

shittim

Senior Member
#18
Dec 16, 2016
13,798
7,781
113
#18
And He always intended, before Constantine created a "church" based on the structure of Roman government.
We are now returning to it, I believe Lafftur has touched on that with her op.
 
Blain

Blain

The Word Weaver
#19
Aug 28, 2012
19,212
2,547
113
#19
Lafftur said:
I’ve been pondering......”church “ has to change....like a new computer gets “upgrades” all the time....:unsure:

God wants to “upgrade” His church...

Imagine 1 or 2 acres of land and there are little huts/cabins/booths specifically for....Prayer, Healing, Sermon, Word of Wisdom, Word of Knowledge, Praise, Worship, Salvation, Food, Clothing, water baptism, Word of Prophecy, etc.

Church has to break out of the walls and all the structure and focus more on the needs of the people and how God wants to supply all the needs in one Sunday meeting....it’s NOT about just listen to the pastor and all eyes on the pastor.......it’s about God and all His people....

Our dear loving Father wants to love His children and meet our needs and pour His love in us and on us....healing us and drawing us close to Him!

Instead of coming to church and only getting a sermon, you can actually get all of the above!

What would an “Upgrade” of Church be to you?......:unsure::love:(y)
Click to expand...
I think you are 110% correct this sounds amazing to me I would join this church in a heartbeat
 
Lanolin

Lanolin

Well-known member
#20
Dec 15, 2018
23,460
7,188
113
#20
I think it is a bit ironic we have some luddites even on an online forum lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.